Key Points:
- Admission to the Mob Museum starts at $34.95, and it’s one of the best museum experiences I’ve had. Anywhere.
- The museum uses audio, video, interactive stations, artistic sets, and physical artifacts to maintain engagement.
- The Underground Speakeasy is worth a visit, even if you don’t plan to tackle the museum.
The Mob Museum calls the former US Courthouse and Post Office building home, which was constructed in the 1930s and is historic in its own right, hosting one of the Kefauver Hearings on organized crime in 1950.
Inside the museum are 3 floors of interactive exhibits dedicated to exploring organized crime across the country, in Las Vegas, and the law enforcement response it received.
Ranking as one of the most popular non-gaming attractions in Las Vegas, the Mob Museum is located steps away from the Fremont Street Experience next to Downtown Grand.
As I’m consistently asked about the Mob Museum, I figured it would be fun to stop by and share my perspective.
Of course, I’ll also share an abundance of pictures to give you an idea as to whether or not the Mob Museum is itinerary-worthy!
Mob Museum Cost
Mob Museum tickets come in 3 flavors.
The baseline ticket costs $34.95 and provides access to all exhibits in the museum. This is the ticket I opted for.
Two additional elevated experiences include access to either one or two interactive experiences for $49.95 and $54.95, respectively.
Interactive experiences that you’re able to add include an exploration of forensic crime-solving techniques in the Crime Lab, a firearm simulator, and a distillery tour at The Underground Speakeasy.
View tickets, and buy in advance, here.
Note also that there is a Nevada Resident Discount.
Inside the Mob Museum
The museum guides you through the origins of organized crime, prohibition, the federal law enforcement response, the Kefauver Hearings, the mob’s involvement in early Las Vegas, how the mob was finally reigned in, and what organized crime looks like today, both here and around the world.
What I enjoyed most about the Mob Museum was HOW they presented information.
The 3 floors of exhibits were an expertly crafted blend of imagery, audio, video, physical artifacts, interactive screens, and written placards. Consuming information never got boring.
Some of the most engaging pieces for me were wiretapped audio of conversations between mobsters, bullets from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre along with the brick wall that victims were lined up against, crime scene photos, firearms, a model depicting El Chapo’s escape from prison, and the chair that the condemned actually sat in as they died in Nevada’s gas chamber.
While that’s a sampling of my favorites, you can rest assured that there is so much more. Of course, alongside each artifact, picture, audio recording, etc. is the story behind it.
In addition to interesting artifacts, I was floored by the creativity that went into creating each exhibit. It was almost like stumbling into a new movie set every time I turned the corner. The theatrics and presentation of each display were impressive.
Some of my favorite “scenes” in the Mob Museum included a cash-lined room, a step back in time to the Arizona Club casino, a room dedicated to historic Las Vegas artifacts, a replica electric chair, and a web depicting how organized crime had infected various civic institutions.
Restored to its 1950s grandeur, the courtroom where the Kefauver Hearings actually took place was the crown jewel of the museum in my mind.
There, you could sit on the wooden benches and watch videos from the hearings that exposed organized crime in the US.
Vegas’ Mob History a Focus
Vegas history nerds like myself will really appreciate how much effort the Mob Museum invests in explaining the ties that early Las Vegas had with the mob.
You’ll learn about how legendary figures like Bugsy Siegel made their mark on the Skyline, the reasons that Las Vegas was an appealing destination, and how it all came to an end for the mob in Sin City.
There’s also information related to the beloved former mob lawyer and Mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman.
Along with the stories, are a myriad of artifacts from the old properties and personalities your grandparents told you about.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll spend a significant amount of time in this part of the museum, reading every word on every info card.
The Underground Speakeasy
Visiting the Mob Museum without grabbing a cocktail at their basement speakeasy would be a travesty.
Hell, you should swing by for a drink even if you don’t plan to visit the museum.
Here’s how to get in:
Grab the day’s password from The Underground’s Instagram page, go around the right side of the Mob Museum building, and find this barrel, which marks the stairwell leading to the secret entrance.
Head down the staircase, my brother is walking toward in the above image, and ring the buzzer next to the green door and provide the password when the bouncer asks.
The speakeasy has a prohibition-era feel, and there are informational placards scattered about that are fun to peruse. It’s like a little museum in and of itself.
My brother was perplexed by the old-fashioned he ordered, which was served in a hollowed-out book. A fun touch.
What’s Not to Like?
When I review attractions, hotel rooms, etc., it’s important to point out both the good & the bad so that you can make a more informed decision.
While the museum itself is great, the crowds can be thick. There can be a decent wait to read placards, see displays, etc.
Is The Mob Museum Worth the Money?
In my opinion, few attractions in Las Vegas offer more “bang for your buck”.
For $34.95, I was entertained for 2 hours, though I could easily have stayed longer if I hadn’t had a hard commitment that forced me to move through the museum faster than I’d have liked.
The Mob Museum is a “can’t miss” attraction for those interested in the history of organized crime, the law enforcement response, and the origins of Las Vegas.
More engaging than a typical museum attraction, The Mob Museum expertly leverages a range of media, artifacts, and exhibit design to capture and hold visitors’ attention.
Needless to say, I’ll be back.
Related: More Itinerary Inspiration!
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.